What is a Governor in Council Exemption Order?
The Governor of Victoria, in consultation with relevant ministers, may determine to permit a class of persons to engage in activities otherwise prohibited by the Control of Weapons Act 1990 or exempt a class of weapons from classification as a prohibited weapon.
Governor in Council Exemption Orders apply to classes of persons or weapons, not individuals. This means some people may be allowed (exempted) to possess, purchase or sell, use, manufacture or carry certain prohibited weapons. Governor in Council Exemption Orders are published in the Victorian Government Gazette.
To determine if an exemption applies to your circumstances, please refer to the relevant exemption orders and the Department of Justice and Community Safety. You should note any conditions or exclusions that might apply in the relevant order. Alternatively, you may wish to seek independent legal advice for further information and requirements.
Governor in Council Exemption Orders may permit:
- manufacture, sale or purchase of prohibited weapons or body armour
- possession, use, carriage or transportation of prohibited weapons or body armour
- display or advertisement for sale of prohibited weapons.
Victoria Police is not responsible for issuing Governor in Council Exemption Orders.
To seek information about Governor in Council Exemption Orders, please, contact the Department of Justice and Community Safety(opens in a new window).
Storing Prohibited Weapons
Storage requirements are detailed in the conditions for each relevant Governor in Council Exemption Order or Chief Commissioner Approval.
Additional storage requirements may apply to specific weapons (e.g. crossbows). The following is the minimum standard of safe keeping for prohibited weapons.
Weapons must be stored in a manner which ensures that the item:
- is not readily accessible to anybody who is not covered by an exemption, or
- is not available for possession, carriage or use by a person who does not hold of an approval issued by the Chief Commissioner of Police.
- when being transported between the usual place of storage and to places where the item may lawfully be, used or possessed, weapon must be stored in a manner which ensures that the item is not readily accessible anybody not covered by an exemption or approval.
Current Governor in Council Exemption Orders
Victoria Police is not responsible for the granting, renewal or maintenance of Exemption Orders. This responsibility falls to the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
We endeavour to publish the most accurate Governor in Council Exemption Orders for prohibited weapons and body armour however they can also be found published in the Victorian Government Gazette(opens in a new window).
Chief Commissioner approvals
You may also need Chief Commissioner's Approval to use certain prohibited weapons in Victoria.
Contact us
Get in touch about weapons through our online enquiry form.
Updated